Centre County Elections Office Sees Leadership Change as Midterms Approach

Centre County’s Office of Elections and Voter Registration has undergone a change in leadership weeks before voters head to the polls for the midterms and with mail voting already underway.

Melanie Bailey has left her position as director of the office after a little more than two years in the role. The Board of Commissioners on Thursday approved Latisha Stefanko, who previously served as voter registration coordinator, to be interim director, retroactive to a day earlier.

A county spokesperson declined to comment Monday on questions about when and why Bailey left the role and whether her departure would have any impact on county election operations. The spokesperson instead directed a reporter to remarks from Commissioner Amber Concepcion at Thursday’s meeting recorded by WATM/WJAC.

“[Bailey] is no longer working with the county but we’re really grateful Latisha was able to step up on short notice and take over,” Concepcion said. “I think we’re very confident with our team in the elections office.”

Formerly an elections administrator in Venango County, Bailey was hired in July 2024 to succeed Beth Lechman, who stepped down as Centre County elections director that month after three years to take a new job.

Bailey most recently appeared before the Board of Commissioners on Oct. 6 to request the purchase of three new ballot drop boxes.

The county spokesperson did not respond to a question about the timeline for hiring a permanent elections director.

Election Day is Nov. 3. Monday was the last day to register to vote before the election, and Oct. 27 is the last day to apply for a mail-in or civil absentee ballot.

For information on polling locations and mail voting, visit the Centre County Office of Elections and Voter Registration website.